Apparatus for erecting cartons

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for erecting cartons from a flattened condition thereof including a conveyer for moving flattened cartons at regular intervals; structure for directing a blast of air at a pressure greater than ambient against an end of the carton to partially erect the same while being conveyed; structure opposing the air blast; structure in spaced relationship to the conveyor and in increasing spaced relationship thereto to accommodate the erecting movement and to prevent dislodgement of the partly erected blank by the air blast; and structure for trapping and removing the erected carton.

United States ?atent Vuilleumier 5] Apr. 24, 1973 I APPARATUS FORERECTlNG 3,269,087 8/1966 Cloud et al. .53/l83 CARTONS 3,197,936 211325Evlessmer 3,340,679 1 7 h so 53 385 [75] Inventor: Ralph O. Vuilleumier,Malvern, Pa. O n n [73] Assignee: Container Corporation of America,Primary ExaminerAndrew Juhasz Chicago, "1 Assistant Examiner lames F.COan [22] F] d D 13 1971 Att0rneyRichard W. Carpenter 1 e ec. 21 ApplNo.: 207,071 [571 ABSTRACT I Apparatus for erecting cartons from aflattened condi- U.S R tiOn thereof including a conveyet for movingflattened /8 4 cartons at regular intervals; structure for directing a[5 1] Int Cl B3) 1/80 blast of air at a pressure greater than ambientagainst [58] Fie'ld 53 BF an end of the carton to partially erect thesame while 93/53 LP SD 49 84 i 84 being conveyed; structure opposing theair blast; 53/l83 88 structure in spaced relationship to the conveyorand in increasing spaced relationship thereto to accommodate theerecting movement and to prevent [56] References cued dislodgement ofthe partly erected blank by the air UNITED STATES PATENTS blast; andstructure for trapping and removing the erected carton. 3,682,052 8/1972Vuilleumeir et a1. ..93/53 R 2,541,607 2/1951 Piazze ..93/53 R 12Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAPR24I975 I r v Q 3.728 945 I SHEET 1[IF 2 v INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 'RALPH O-vUlLLEUMlER APPARATUS FOR ERECTINGCARTONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to apparatus for erecting cartons from the flattenedcondition thereof. The structure according to the present inventioncomprehends the use of a blast of air directed against an end of aflattened folded carton, the individual blank being conveyed atregularly spaced intervals past the structure providing the blast ofair. While being so conveyed, the partial erection takes place, thecompletion of the erecting operation taking place on a second conveyerstructure having carton engaging lugs mounted on orbitally movablemembers which trap an individual carton therebetween in an erectedposition.

2. The Prior Art The prior art has disclosed structure for erecting aflattened bag made of film material for the subsequent placement in theerected bag of an elongate article such as a bread loaf or the like.Jarund U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,087 is an example of structure illustratingsuch practice. The prior art is also found with examples whereby a bagis partially inflated and subsequently filled with an article ofcommerce. Messmer U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,936 and Cloud et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,269,087 are examples of patents illustrating such structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The structure according to the presentinvention makes it possible to feed a flattened carton along an endlessorbitally movable conveyer past a plenum source directing a blast of airagainst one end of the flattened carton to partially erect the same. Theblast of air from the plenum may be opposed by a baffle or abutmentextending along an opposite side of the conveyer and maintaining thepressure within the flattened carton at a value greater than theambient. Devices are provided in spaced relationship to the conveyingmeans, these devices gradually changing in distance therefrom, toaccommodate the erecting movement of the individual carton.

The cartons which have been partially erected by the air current aretrapped between lugs of a second conveyer. The lugs thereof have a pitchdistance substantially equal to the greatest transverse dimension of thecarton.

In another embodiment of the invention structure may be employed forfolding the closure flaps at one 'end of the carton at right angles tothe plane of the side and main panels, the partially erected cartonmoving past an abutment plate to prevent the escape of air employed forthe erecting process.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view showing carton erectingapparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of structure for conveying thecartons in the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view showing another form of apparatusaccording to the present invention.

The improved apparatus for erecting cartons is denoted generally by thereference numeral and includes a hopper H for holding a stack offlattened cartons B therein. The lowermost carton of the stack isadapted to be engaged at the trailing edge thereof, and to be removedtherefrom to move along a conveying reach CR including a pair oflaterally spaced orbitally movable sprocket chains 12 each of which istrained about a tail idler sprocket 13A mounted on an idler shaft 13C,and about other idler sprockets 15A, see FIG. 2. The sprocket chains aremoved by driving sprockets, not seen in FIG. 2.

Laterally spaced pick-off lugs 14 are regularly spaced along theorbitally movable sprocket chains 12 and are arranged to remove thebottommost carton from the stack thereof. The precise details of thepickoff lugs 14 form no part of the present invention, but it may benoted that the spacing thereof along the sprocket chains 12 is greaterthan the width of a main panel MP plus a side panel SP of the flattenedcarton B.

As the cartons move with the orbitally movable chains 12, they move pasta plenum P located to one side of the conveying reach CR. Plenum Psupplies a blast of air at a pressure greater than that of the ambientto cause the opposed main panels MP of the carton B to separate fromeach other and partially erect the same. It may be noted that thecross-sectional area of plenum P is somewhat larger than the transfersecross section of the cartons B being erected. It may also be noted thatthe dimension of plenum P along the conveying reach CR is at least equalto the dimension of the carton B in the flattened condition thereof, andabout equal to the pitch distance between lugs 14. The height of plenumP is not as critical, but probably should not be less than three-fourthsof the width of a side panel SP, and may be considerably higher ifdesired.

In order to prevent the blast of air from blowing the carton B from theconveying reach CR, hold-down rails R are disposed in spaced overlyingrelationship to the conveying reach CR, the spacing from the conveyerreach CR increasing gradually as the cartons move along the conveyingreach CR.

In order to maintain the pressure within the partly erected blank B at avalue to maintain the partly erected condition thereof, the blast fromthe plenum P may be opposed by a blast of air from an opposite plenum OPdisposed at the opposite side of the conveying reach CR in directlyopposed relationship to the plenum P.

Alternately, and to maintain the pressure within the partly erectedcarton, an abutment plate AP may be disposed at an opposite side of theconveyer reach CR, abutment plate AP contacting the edges of end flapsEF of the carton, thereby trapping air at a pressure greater thanambient within the partly erected carton.

In order to complete the erection of the carton and to cause the same tohave a rectangular configuration in cross section, the partly erectedcartons B are trapped between elements movable with a second conveyerstructure, such elements being spaced along said second conveyerstructure by a pitch distance substantially equal to the width of themain panels MP of the carton.

As seen particularly in FIG. 2, there is provided a second endlessconveyor 16 for a pair of laterally spaced sprockets 17 mounted on anidler shaftI7A,

there being an endless sprocket chain 18 trained about each sprocket 17and about a driving sprocket, not shown, at this discharge end of theapparatus 10. Laterally spaced lugs 19 are mounted on the spacedsProcket chain l8, the pitch distance between the lugs 19 being equal toor slightly greater than the width of the main panels MP, the movementof the lugs 19 being such as to trap the blank B therebetween and tocomplete the erection thereof, as seen more clearly in FIG. 2.

It may be noted by reference to FIG. 2 that the lugs 14 mounted on thesprocket chains 12 are trained in such a fashion that they move out ofthe plane of the conveying reach CR after the trapping lugs 19 moveupward and through the conveying reach CR. The blank is therebydisengaged from the lugs 14, and the trapping lugs 19 are in engagementwith the trailing edge of the partly erected blank. By reason of thepitch distance between the lugs 19 being equal to the width of mainpanel MP, and by reason of the height of lugs 19, the carton assumes arectangular shape in cross section.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another form of structure forachieving the erection of the cartons B, the structure seen in FIG. 3,including the plenum P for supplying a blast of air at a pressuregreater than ambient. The cartons B seen in FIG. 3 have end flaps EF ofa type not being readily sealed against the abutment plate AP of FIG. 1and accordingly a plow PL is provided to fold the end flaps EF at rightangles to the main panel MP and the side panel SP, the plow PL alsooperating to provide resistance to the blast of air in the plenum P.

It may be noted that the apparatus disclosed consists of a conveyerhaving a horizontal conveying reach with air erecting means mounted foroperation in a horizontal direction. It is within the scope of theinvention to provide a conveying reach cooperating with vertical airerecting means and vertically standing carton blanks.

I claim:

1. In a machine for erecting carton sleeves from a flattened conditionthereof:

a. first endless conveyer means for moving flattened individual cartonsat regular intervals by engagement of a carton at a trailing edgethereof;

b. plenum means extending along one side of said first conveyer meanswith an opening therein directed against the end of a carton sleeve forapplying a blast of air under pressure greater than ambient to partiallyerect said carton sleeve while the same is conveyed along said conveyingmeans;

c. said plenum means having a dimension along said conveyer means atleast equal to the dimension of said carton sleeve in the flattenedcondition thereof;

d. means extending along an opposite side of said first conveyer meansand disposed with reference to an opposite end of said carton sleeve inopposition to said blast of air to minimize loss of pressure aboveambient of said blast therewithin;

e. means extending in increasing spaced relation to the conveyer meansto accommodate the erecting movement of said cartons as they areconveyed along said first conveyer means and to prevent dislodgement ofindividual partly erected cartons from said first conveyor means by saidblast of air;

f. other means including regularly spaced means thereon to trap anerected carton sleeve therebetween to complete the erection thereof.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said first conveyer means isprovided with carton engaging lugs having a pitch distance greater thanthe combined width of a main panel and a side panel of said cartonsleeve, and wherein said other means includes trapping lugs having apitch distance equal to the width of a main panel.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said trapping lugs extendalong the side panels of the erected carton sleeve to maintain theerected carton sleeve with a rectangular cross section.

4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said other means includes asecond conveyer having an orbitally movable strand, and wherein themeans thereon includes trapping lugs engaging side walls of an erectedcarton sleeve.

5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said first endless conveyermeans and said other means move along a conveying reach, and whereinsaid first conveyer means is provided with regularly spaced cartonsleeve engaging lugs thereon which move out of the plane of said reachas said other means engages a carton sleeve for erecting movementthereby.

6. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the means extending along theopposite side of said conveyer means includes an abutment platecontacting the opposite end of said carton to trap air therein to erectsaid carton sleeve.

7. In a conveyer for erecting cartons from a flattened conditionthereof:

a. first endless conveyer means for moving flattened individual cartonsat regular intervals by engagement of a carton at a trailing edgethereof;

. means disposed to one side of said first conveyer means with anopening therein directed against the end of a carton for applying ablast of air under pressure greater than ambient to partially erect saidcarton while the same is conveyed along said conveying means;

. means extending along an opposite side of said first conveyer meansand disposed wIth reference to an Opposite end of said carton inopposition to said blast of air to minimize loss of pressure aboveambient of said blast within said carton;

. means extending along said conveyer means in increasing spacedrelationship to the conveyer means to accommodate the erecting movementof said cartons as they are conveyed along said first conveyer means andto prevent dislodgement of individual partly erected cartons from saidfirst conveyer means by said blast of air;

e. other means including regularly spaced means thereon to trap anerected carton therebetween to complete the erection thereof.

8. A machine according to claim 7 wherein said first conveyer means iSprovided with cartonengaging lugs having a pitch distance greater thanthe combined width of a main panel and a side panel of said carton, andwherein said other means includes trapping lugs having a pitch distanceequal to the width of a main panel.

move along a conveying reach, and wherein said first conveyer means isprovided with regularly spaced carton engaging lugs thereon which moveout of the plane of said reach as said other means engages a carton forerected movement thereby.

12. A machine according to claim 7 wherein the means extending along theopposite side of said conveyer means includes an abutment platecontacting the opposite end of said carton to trap air therein to erectsaid carton.

1. In a machine for erecting carton sleeves from a flattened conditionthereof: a. first endless conveyer means for moving flattened individualcartons at regular intervals by engagement of a carton at a trailingedge thereof; b. plenum means extending along one side of said firstconveyer means with an opening therein directed against the end of acarton sleeve for applying a blast of air under pressure greater thanambient to partially erect said carton sleeve while the same is conveyedalong said conveying means; c. said plenum means having a dimensionalong said conveyer means at least equal to the dimension of said cartonsleeve in the flattened condition thereof; d. means extending along anopposite side of said first conveyer means and disposed with referenceto an opposite end of said carton sleeve in opposition to said blast ofair to minimize loss of pressure above ambient of said blasttherewithin; e. means extending in increasing spaced relation to theconveyer means to accommodate the erecting movement of said cartons asthey are conveyed along said first conveyer means and to preventdislodgement of individual partly erected cartons from said firstconveyor means by said blast of air; f. other means including regularlyspaced means thereon to trap an erected carton sleeve therebetween tocomplete the erection thereof.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 whereinsaid first conveyer means is provided with carton engaging lugs having apitch distance greater than the combined width of a main panel and aside panel of said carton sleeve, and wherein said other means includestrapping lugs having a pitch distance equal to the width of a mainpanel.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said trapping lugsextend along the side panels of the erected carton sleeve to maintainthe erected carton sleeve with a rectangular cross section.
 4. A machineaccording to claim 1 wherein said other means includes a second conveyerhaving an orbitally movable strand, and wherein the means thereonincludes trapping lugs engaging side walls of an erected carton sleeve.5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said first endless conveyermeans and said other means move along a conveying reach, and whereinsaid first conveyer means is provided with regularly spaced cartonsleeve engaging lugs thereon which move out of the plane of said reachas said other means enGages a carton sleeve for erecting movementthereby.
 6. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the means extendingalong the opposite side of said conveyer means includes an abutmentplate contacting the opposite end of said carton to trap air therein toerect said carton sleeve.
 7. In a conveyer for erecting cartons from aflattened condition thereof: a. first endless conveyer means for movingflattened individual cartons at regular intervals by engagement of acarton at a trailing edge thereof; b. means disposed to one side of saidfirst conveyer means with an opening therein directed against the end ofa carton for applying a blast of air under pressure greater than ambientto partially erect said carton while the same is conveyed along saidconveying means; c. means extending along an opposite side of said firstconveyer means and disposed wIth reference to an Opposite end of saidcarton in opposition to said blast of air to minimize loss of pressureabove ambient of said blast within said carton; d. means extending alongsaid conveyer means in increasing spaced relationship to the conveyermeans to accommodate the erecting movement of said cartons as they areconveyed along said first conveyer means and to prevent dislodgement ofindividual partly erected cartons from said first conveyer means by saidblast of air; e. other means including regularly spaced means thereon totrap an erected carton therebetween to complete the erection thereof. 8.A machine according to claim 7 wherein said first conveyer means iSprovided with carton engaging lugs having a pitch distance greater thanthe combined width of a main panel and a side panel of said carton, andwherein said other means includes trapping lugs having a pitch distanceequal to the width of a main panel.
 9. A machine according to claim 8wherein said trapping lugs extend along the side panels of the erectedcarton to maintain the erected carton with a rectangular cross section.10. A machine according to claim 7 wherein said other means includes asecond conveyer having an orbitally movable strand, and wherein themeans thereon includes trapping lugs engaging side walls of an erectedcarton.
 11. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said first endlessconveyer means and said other means move along a conveying reach, andwherein said first conveyer means is provided with regularly spacedcarton engaging lugs thereon which move out of the plane of said reachas said other means engages a carton for erected movement thereby.
 12. Amachine according to claim 7 wherein the means extending along theopposite side of said conveyer means includes an abutment platecontacting the opposite end of said carton to trap air therein to erectsaid carton.